Jaguars notebook: Undrafted LB Stanford could become starter

Bob.Self@jacksonville.com Jaguars wide receivers Laurent Robinson (left) and Justin Blackmon jog to warm up drills at the start of Wednesday afternoon's practice. Robinson passed his concussion test and worked in a limited capacity. It was Robinson's first activity since being injured on Sept. 30.

LB Stanford could become starter

When he survived the Jaguars’ final cuts last month, rookie linebacker Julian Stanford became the first Wagner alum to make an NFL regular season roster since Rich Kotite 40 years ago.

Another breakthrough almost happened at Oakland and could at Green Bay – the first player from his school to start a regular season game.

Stanford played a season-high 30 snaps against the Raiders, getting the nod ahead of Kyle Bosworth, who started the first five games and remains a part of the rotation. Stanford made three tackles but didn’t start because the Jaguars used two linebackers on the first snap.

“It was a big accomplishment,” Stanford said before practice Wednesday. “I felt like I was well-prepared and ready for the situation. I think I had a solid game overall. I would say I did my job.”

Stanford played 1, 1, 11, 18 and 24 snaps the first five games and it was his special teams play (tied for the team lead with eight tackles) that earned him more time on defense.

“With the play Julian had on special teams, I was going to give him a little longer look,” linebackers coach Mark Duffner said. “[On special teams], you see play-making, you see him getting off blocks, making open-field tackles and hunting down the football. We want that same approach on defense.”

Stanford went undrafted but was on the Jaguars’ radar. Duffner worked him out before the draft in Staten Island, N.Y., and he was signed on May 4.

“First, I saw a fine person and secondly, a very athletic guy who would have a chance to come into our scheme and thrive,” Duffner said.

Said head coach Mike Mularkey: “For the most part, he handled himself pretty well [against Oakland]. He wasn’t out of place and you didn’t see anything that was glaring. That’s really been him since Day One.”

Jones-Drew, Lowery and Smith won’t play Sunday. Mularkey expects Mathis and Owens to begin team work on Thursday.

Receiver Laurent Robinson passed his concussion test and did limited work in practice, his first activity since being injured Sept. 30 against Cincinnati.

“He passed but we’re being cautious,” Mularkey said.

Cornerback Derek Cox (back) was limited.

Seeking improvement

Kicker Josh Scobee keeps on setting franchise records during Jaguars’ losses. He set the points record in Week 2 against Houston (he now has 793) and his first field goal against Oakland gave him the career mark in that category (now 178).

“Playing long enough here, you get to break some records that were set a long time ago, so it’s cool,” Scobee said.

Scobee is 11-of-11 on field goals this year, but remains disappointed with his kickoffs. All but three of his 22 attempts have reached the end zone but he has only eight touchbacks.

“Still not where I want them to be,” he said. “It’s just been an off-year for kickoffs. I just have to keep working on it in practice.”

Etc.

The Jaguars are a 14-point underdog Sunday at Green Bay. If that holds, it would be tied for the largest in franchise history (they won as a two-touchdown dog at Denver in the January 1997 playoffs). … After playing in a 62-degree temperature last week at Oakland, the Jaguars get football weather Sunday at Lambeau Field, where the forecast calls for a high of 45 degrees.

If nothing else goes right this season, give Scobee a chance to set the NFL record for longest field goal.

Derek Cox is limited? I'd say. Rashean sat out? Aaron Rodgers just might be in for a real whammy here.

It seems like once a season the Jaguars have a game like the one against Baltimore last season. It raises questions because they played too good though.

Beating the Packers is possible, but if they do without Mathis and Cox? See what I mean?

Happy Punting!
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"When they signed me, I thought they must have looked at film and tape and know what my strength is. My strength is hang time. I have a strong leg and put the ball down the middle of the field with a lot of hang time," P Matt Turk October 11th, 2011